EFCC Arraigns Woman Over ₦31m, $3,600, €1,815 Visa Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a woman, Modupe Oriyomi Ativie, before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over alleged visa fraud involving ₦31.06 million, $3,600 and €1,815.

Ativie was arraigned by the commission’s Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate before Justice A.T. Muhammed on a five-count charge bordering on visa fraud, advance-fee fraud and obtaining money under false pretences.

The charges also named Eudora and Aegle Management Consulting Limited in connection with the alleged offences.

One of the charges alleged that Ativie and the company obtained ₦8.58 million from Atamuotoru Dikiari Michael, through his sister, Rita Chikeru Owhonda, in July 2024, under the pretence of securing sponsored employment and a Canadian visa for him.

Another count alleged that they obtained ₦22.482 million from Augustine Olague between November 21, 2024, and January 23, 2025, under a similar promise of visa-sponsored employment in Canada.

Ativie pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following her plea, prosecution counsel, I. Agwu, asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant pending the proceedings.

Defence counsel, J. Kehinde, applied for bail, requesting that the defendant be released to prepare for her trial.

Justice Muhammed ordered that Ativie be remanded in EFCC custody and adjourned the case until October 16, 2026, for a ruling on the bail application.

The EFCC said the case followed a petition by Michael Aiamunotorudikari, who alleged that he and other victims lost money in different currencies to the defendant.

According to the commission, the petitioner said his sister introduced him to the company in June 2024 as an agency that could facilitate Canadian visas and employment opportunities for travellers.

The petitioner reportedly paid an initial $5,800 into an account linked to the company before transferring ₦8.58 million into another account associated with the defendant. He alleged that the defendant subsequently became unreachable and efforts to recover the money failed.

The commission said its investigation found that the defendant received a total of ₦31.062 million from the petitioner and other complainants, alongside $3,600 and €1,815 from additional victims.

The allegations remain before the court, and the defendant has pleaded not guilty.